On May 1, the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) proposed construction of the Virginia Range Fence Line. This would involve constructing up to 23 miles of four-wire fencing along the western range and would sever a substantial number of wild horses from their traditional water sources, as well as forage.
The NDA previously stated that this project would be subject to an environmental impact study; now the agencies say these National Environmental Policy Act requirements could merely be bypassed by a categorical exclusion, treating these wild horses as being of no great import.
This decision constitutes an egregious, unjustified betrayal of the historic Virginia Range wild horses, or mustangs. Also, this decision betrays the majority of people who know about these beautiful and harmonious animals.
The Virginia Range and surrounding areas are the very cradle of the wild horse movement in America. Here, in the 1950s, Storey County voted to protect its wild horses not only for their inherent beauty, but also for their role in preventing destructive wildfires.
As an ecologist, I know they are ecosystem restorers. The horse and burro are positively contributing returned natives in North America whose droppings build deep and humus-rich, moisture-retaining soils and also broadly disperse the seeds of many native plants. Horses are also superior carbon sequesters who combat life-threatening global heating. These mustangs enhance ecosystems, making them more resilient—and it is precisely this resilience that critically needed by life on Earth due to major, accelerating changes.
Thousands of locals and visitors enjoy observing these wild horses, including many passing by on Highway 395/580. These horses have been here for centuries and should continue to be allowed to live naturally. Since a boy, I have observed and been inspired by these hardy and unique mustangs, containing both Spanish and short-breed heritage, dating from the early pioneering days.
If these horses are shut off from their major forage, water, shelter and other survival resources, their future would be seriously jeopardized. Furthermore, the ecosystems they inhabit around Washoe Lake would be negatively impacted, including soils and meadow health and biodiversity richness. And there would be a greater risk of catastrophic wildfires.
My input to the Nevada Legislature Interim Committees Meetings Committee on Public Lands on May 15 includes the construction of a broad and naturalized overpass over Eastlake Boulevard along the lake’s eastern side. This would be used by many wildlife species, including deer and pronghorn. Also, my plan includes a judiciously designed, intermittent fencing pattern that would not block critical wildlife access to Washoe Lake while keeping the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife reserve, at the lake’s northern end and at Little Washoe Lake, fenced. I also propose lowered speed limits, speed bumps and increased speed enforcement, among other points.
Most importantly, there would occur an increased recognition of the wild horses’ positive value, coupled with public education about them and their benign place in our world. In place of scheming against these noble animals and the enhanced ecosystem they help create, we would be learning to live in true and respectful harmony therewith. It would be a fitting celebration of Nevada and of America at its 250th anniversary.
Craig C. Downer is a wildlife ecologist and the president of the Andean Tapir Fund/Wild Horse and Burro Fund. He lives in Minden.
Surely appreciate your publishing this enlightening article that speaks up for these highly evolved and beneficial animals. They have done so much for us people and do so more than ever when living freely and harmoniously with what I like to call the Great Rest of Life. We humans could benefit greatly by following their example.
Thank you Craig for bringing public awareness through your article. It is illegal to block off public land — it belongs to all of us. To treat our American Icon – the Mustang – in such a manner is dispicable!
These horses are a big part if what makes Nevada and amazing place to visit. They attract tons of visitors annually and to think the gvt wants to deny their water source…a source God gave these animals. What the hell is wrong with these terrible people. BE THE HORSES VOICE CALL YOUR REPS ASAP!!
Save the Virginia range wild horses!!
Of course this is wrong but the department of AG and the so called director should be investigated and see where the money is because this did not out of concern for the public’s safety. This is in my opinion another backroom deal and you can bet that when all is revealed you will see where the money comes into play. Why is this my view? Never in the past 35 years since my wife and I have been monitoring the wild horses in Nevada have i ever seen the department of AG or BLM do anything based on what was actually best for our wild horses! Neither agency are good stewards of our lands and I would propose a state appointed Citizens Advisory Commission should be appointed to monitor the actions and methods that both the department of AG and BLM take in relation to our lands and our wild horses! I encourage everyone to attend the assembly at the State capitol every Wednesday at 9am to support our wild horses and to stop the displacement of them.
If you add the 940 homes being built, you can figure where the money is….The horses bring tourists, they are true Nevada Wild and Free….the fencing is a waste of money….also dangerous to current wildlife. Another Republican action?
Save the Horses. , oust the AG department .
They tell you it’s to protect them or the enviroment, humanely manage them, keep them from destroying the environment, or from getting on roadways and getting hit, or their are laws on the books that they have to enforce here in Nevada that citizens CANNOT feed or water them on and on so they must be removed but most ALL LIES and so many believe their lies or don’t love animals. These people are cruel these people supporting or promoting this have only one desire or one ideal means for proposing or passing this and that is $$$ in someone’s pockets. These deceitful people are either ignorant or don’t care and have and will give you LOTS of excuses but these poor animals for centuries have migrated during the seasons to eat and get water and have done just fine. Trust me the NDA and BLM don’t care. They will either build more homes or replace horses with cows and calves! YET, horses don’t destroy the environment, cows do, horses drink and leave, cows stay and make watering holes, lakes MUDDY. Go look up and read the many many articles, Craig Downer, who has a Phd, has been doing studies for decades, written articles NO ONE listens to him or others who have been advocating about the destruction of wild life, cruel inhumane helicopter roundups by Catoor a felon who has made MULTI millions $$$ off these poor animals, killing, slaughtering thousands in the last 30 yrs. Most of these people tell one LIE, after another LIE and citizens believe those lies These horses are NOT protected under BLM or even the Wild Horse and Burro Act signed into law what back in the late 70’s and as if any are supposed to be protected, but even if …. IF …. they were, these particular herds called the Virginia Range Mustangs are under the jurisdiction of Nevada Department of Ag and they have been just as bad if NOT worse than BLM. Think about how these poor animals have had so much of their grazing lands down here in the valleys taken away from them, with ALL THE construction and BUILDING of new homes taking away their watering holes and seasonal grazing lands. Think about how you hear about how they are going to be rounded up and adopted, saved by new laws, fences or humans but reality is: They are NOT!! After couple years the animal can be sold and WILL go to slaughter whether here, or in Mexico or even flown to countries who eat them. This abuse has been going on since Thelma Johnston (Wild Horse Annie) fought SO-SO hard to protect them back in the 50’s, I know because my best friend Diane (now deceased) rode and supported Annie. I have personally protested so many times, I have gone to advisory board meetings, traveled to other areas where even influential people came with GMA (Good Morning America) filmed and tried helping these majestic animals and …… NOPE tragedy after tragedy this abuse continued to take place. Out of 13 western states, dozens of beautiful century old herds, all GONE-DESTROYED all in the name of managing or protecting the land. Then most of those lands were given to ranchers to let them graze their cattle on at $1 a cow to graze when the lie was …. BLM had to remove the horses to PROTECT the land, the other wildlife, etc. Now if your lucky there may be 2-3 states and a few herds left but with herds so small, not even enough animals to have a viable enough amount of animals to keep those century old bloodlines alive …. they don’t care, GONE – DESTROYED. EVERYONE should go to the rally on June 13th organized by Heather O’Donnell 9-noon because someday and I am dead serious, someday the only place someone will be able to view a true WILD HORSE MUSTANG will be in a zoo. PLEASE …. everyone show a force in support, bring the kids, take a friend call the news, call the governor but TRY to help and never stop trying. Thank you Lou Russo 😉
We have to do absolutely everything to safe our iconic wild horses!!! Once they are gone, the true spirit of the Wild West will be gone forever. They need to roam free. They are such an important bonus and attraction for this area!!!
May I recommend that we learn to live in balance with Mother Earth by sharing the land with the four legged mustangs. It is simply unjust to show such a lack of respect. This is their home, they help humans in many ways. Let them be free, let them be able to roam, feed, and drink. They deserve to be a part of this world. They teach us family, community, safety and protection. I kindly ask the no fencing be placed and may we all understand it is each humans job to respect the earth, animals, plants, air we breath, and water we drink. Thank you Nikki Berry